Sweet treats from Mexico: Los dulces
Mention "February", and one of the first associations that comes to mind is Valentine's Day. In Mexico, this is not only the saint's day to be celebrated by boys and girls named Valentín or Valentina,...
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Date and Walnut Roll: Rollo de Datil y Nuez
This is a very easy sweet to make, requiring few ingredients. The minimal cooking time makes it a good project to make with children during vacation time, provided that young children are supervised ar...
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Milk Candy: Jamoncillo de Leche
This very typical regional sweet, resembling milk fudge, is sold all over Zacatecas. It should be made several hours or a day ahead and covered with plastic wrap.
Ingredients:
1 quart whole m...
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Candied Pumpkin: Calabaza en Tacha
This Day of the Dead specialty dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when it was sweetened with either maguey sap or honey. It is found ready-made in Mexican mercados toward the end of October, as people b...
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Soft Nougat Candy: Turrón Blando Tipo Jijona
Turrón was brought to Mexico by the Spaniards, who have two versions, one from Jijona and one from Alicante. Jijona turron is a soft ground almond and honey candy, while the Alicante version is hard, ...
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Candied Walnuts: Nueces Garapiñadas
Candied nuts are a favorite treat in Mexico, and may be made with walnuts, pecans, almonds or peanuts. Walnuts are most prevalent during the winter holiday season. This sweet is one of the things we ca...
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Pumpkin Seed and Sesame Candy: Pepitoria
The pre-Hispanic pumpkin seeds and the sesame seeds brought by the Spaniards come together in a wonderfully textured candy, also sometimes called palanquetas. If giving the candies as gifts, wrap ea...
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Amaranth Candy: Dulce de Alegria
Alegrías, whose name is derived from the Spanish word for "happy", are made from the highly nutritious, ancient grain amaranth. Wrapped in colored cellophane, they make a nice addition to a gift baske...
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Coconut Sweets: Cocadas
In addition to the west coast of Mexico, Peru and Colombia also claim these sweets as their own, an indication that perhaps they followed the Pacific route of the ceviche. In any case, they are Colima'...
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